Sanctuary in Red Embers

[Bella]

Although Hama Valon sported a large forge, and a blacksmith who was busy enough to maintain as many as three apprentices at a time, the Tower did not forget its own convenience. Near the stables--though not so near as to light anything on fire--was a small, one-man forge that saw infrequent use. It was strictly for the purposes of metalwork needs in the Tower proper and for the Tower's horses.

It was generally used for small matters, since larger ones could only be managed in Hama Valon anyways, but for Derren, it had taken on the idea of a small bit of sanctuary.

He could hide in the library, and often did, but he also often got harangued by the Brown's who still seemed to hold a grudge against him for choosing Grey over Brown. (Channelers not only had long lives but they had long memories, and that seemed to automatically translate into both the ability and desire to hold grudges.)

Derren was not necessarily in need of sanctuary that day, but every now and then, he needed to break up his routine. Just a little, of course, let's not go crazy here. He knew that the Tower's stores of horse shoes were running low. These were all crafted in advance, with the farrier then adjusting the shoe as necessary while working with the horse.

Today, the Grey Asha'man decided to make himself useful. He had been at the forge for over an hour now, face flushed and sweat clinging to his skin as he banged the hammer along the iron to curve it into the shape of a horse's hoof. A noise behind him started him, and he glanced over his shoulder.

Seeing that the noise had belonged to a person, he paused his task and turned enough to speak. "May I help you?"

[Avyra]

(Since nobody's replied here I'll take it! C: )
Avyra

She wasn't exactly sure where to hide. It had been a few days since her failed Earth class, and it was her free hour. But instead of studying or even having fun with some of her new friends, she just wanted to be alone. The gardens, as evidenced from her first attempt to hide, were not an ideal place for such actions. They were too open to attempt hiding, even where nobody went or how small she was. Someone would still find her. So her search took her to an area she hadn't really been before, near the stables. She knew they had a forge, but she figured nobody would be using it, due to the supplies readily available in Hama Valon. But, as she neared, she could hear the sound of a hammer, taste the heat of flames in the air. Someone was working. She raised an eyebrow, this time curious. I wonder what's going on in there? She hesitated by the door, thinking about knocking. But she figured the person working wouldn't hear her, so she pushed open the door as quietly as she possibly could. As soon as she did, however, the man noticed, turning to look at her. He was, like everyone else, far taller than she, by over a foot, with dark hair. Judging by his clothes, he was an Asha'man. "May I help you?" She swallowed a bit, giving a small, almost timid, smile. Normally she would be more open, but she didn't want any trouble. "I... I was just looking for a place to be alone, Asha'man. I didn't think anyone would be in here." She paused. "I heard you working, and curiosity got the best of me. I'm sorry for disturbing your work; I'll leave if you don't want me in here, Asha'man."

[Bella]

Derren looked over the girl who now stood before him with his usual impassive, but observant eye. His own were the steel blue of the Jolstraer line, and did nothing to mask his keen intellect. Everything else was what had to be held under such ironclad restraint.

She wore the whites of a Novice, and bore the height of a Cairhienin. Though he wasn't sure he could recall seeing one of that nation with such a shade of green in their eyes. Then again, he had not met every member of the Cairhienin nation and in truth, although it was not proper for a diplomat to say as much, most of those he had met got on his nerves. Perhaps because they had all been nobles.

The Grey Ajah forced him to deal most often with royalty and nobility, but Derren was the son of a blacksmith. Even his prestigious family here at the Tower had earned that prestige, which was something most nobility fell short on.

None of these thoughts showed on his face, of course. He had been too long Asha'man, and Grey, to allow that. He lifted the hand with the hammer to wipe some of the sweat from his brow with the back of his wrist before lifting his broad shoulders in a small shrug. "It is public space, Novice," he said simply. "You are free to depart or remain.

"I am simply--" He waved at the line of iron U-shapes hanging next to him. "--aiding the feet of the Tower steeds."

[Avyra]

At first glance, this Asha'man looked intense. A bit scary. She met his steel eyes with her own green and had to fight not to look away. That was something she had decided never to do. Look away. It showed weakness, a tendency to roll over to anyone who so much as looked at her wrong. And in a place like the Tower, where she might very well get stepped on, she found that keeping a strong stance was the key to not get picked on. The only one she had ever looked away from was Mirin Sedai, in private. Avyra didn't want to let this man see that he intimidated her. He, however, seemed indifferent about her being there, or he didn't show any dislike, so she decided to stay. She hadn't seen him around yet, and she had found everyone she had met in the Tower so far to be interesting. She figured he would be no different. "I am simply aiding the feet of the Tower steeds," he said, motioning to the already made horseshoes on the wall. Avyra made her way over, looking around the room before moving to the table, standing up on her toes to watch his work. It was hot in there due to the fires, and the walls were lined with various tools, most of which she had never seen before. "I've never watched a blacksmith work before, Asha'man. But I must say, those shoes look really nice." She gave him a smile, then realized she hadn't actually introduced herself. "I'm Avyra Moeryr. Novice. Been here about a month or so."

[Bella]

Subtle signs, in her body language and facial expressions, suggested to him that she wasn't entirely comfortable in his presence. The Grey stayed alive by reading such things, after all, although there was always a chance he was wrong. Still, she was a small girl and he knew that he wasn't exactly a small man. He'd also been told he looked...stern.

Derren wasn't planning to try and "look" any different, but it was a detail he bore in mind, especially when dealing with those who were A) young, and/or B) female.

When she introduced herself, he felt a little surprised. He thought she would've left. She hadn't, and he didn't plan to chase her off, so he just inclined his head slightly. "My name is Derren Jolstraer, I am an Asha'man of the Grey. I have been here..." He paused and wry amusement flickered in his eyes. "Far longer than a month."

[Avyra]

Avyra couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Well, I'd hope you've been here longer than a month, Asha'man. Otherwise I applaud you on that quick raising, and envy your ability to study." Avyra watched him work, trying not to be an annoyance. She hoped she wasn't disturbing him, watching him so close. She knew it was harder to play flute when she was being watched by an audience, and she wondered idly if it was the same for blacksmithing. But he had told her she could stay, and she decided to take him up on the offer. "What's it like, being an Asha'man? Or the Grey Ajah in general? I've been thinking about Green myself, but I'm still not fixed. But I guess I have time. Why did you pick Grey?"

[Bella]

Derren suffered no issues with having someone nearby, even watching him as he worked. When he was "on the job," he often had entire tables of displeased nobles staring at him. Often impatiently, at that. One little Novice curious about blacksmithing, and apparently the Grey Ajah, was certainly not enough to rattle his composure.

He considered her question as he began to sort out the single row of horseshoes into multiple rows, based on the size of the metalwork.

"I seek peace," he said plainly. "The world is tempestuous, and life is chaotic." He did not, however, mention just how tempestuous he had been growing up and how much trouble his volatile temper had gotten him into, before he learned to control it. "The Grey Ajah seeks to find peace where there is war. It drew me." He paused and looked back at her. "My grandmother is a Green, however."

[Avyra]

He continued with his work and she watched him, fixated on the making of the horseshoes. This was all new to her, like much of the Tower, and it was obvious she wanted to know more of the process, even though she didn't ask directly. "The Grey Ajah seeks to find peace where there is war. It drew me," he finished his reply. "My grandmother is a Green, however." He nodded. "I feel like... I don't know. I fit Green. Its weird." She paused, raising up on her toes again to see over a bit better. "The Tower is, though, very nice. I've never been in a more diverse place, surrounded by different people. Of course, its a bit daunting, Derren Asha'man. Especially if most of the people here are giants from my angle. But it is nice." She paused. "And the food is good, too."

[Bella]

Before replying, Derren moved to the billows and stoked them to re-ignite the coals. He watched with his usual intense gaze as the coals flamed, and then engulfed the piece of iron he put into it. He would wait until the metal grew molten hot and then pull it free to begin making the shape. He had made many of these today, but he liked the rote of it.

"I am sure that the Mistress of Kitchens would agree with you," he said. A small smile lifted one side of his mouth. Everyone knew the reputation of that woman. She didn't feel the need to receive compliments, because she knew precisely how good she was at the job she did. "And yes, the Tower is most diverse. It is a place where nationality, nor background, truly matters.

"We are here for a purpose that extends beyond such man-made labels as nation of birth, or such man-made limitations that we place upon ourselves."

[Avyra]

He moved away for a moment to mess with the coals, but she couldn't see over his tall form and broad shoulders. "We are here for a purpose that extends beyond such man-made labels as nation of birth, or such man-made limitations that we place upon ourselves." Avyra only nodded, considering what he said. "I'm not too sure of myself, though." She paused. "I just feel... strange here. Like I'm not meant to be. I don't know if I would make a good Aes Sedai." She looked back to him. "Why did you stay here?"